A spa-resort manager inquires about watsu

[Sulis (Sara Firman)]

Here is an actual example (from 2008) illustrating the kinds of issues you might face when offering Watsu to spas. The spa manager of a US resort spa wrote to me saying:

I think Watsu would be terrific at [our spa] but we do have a few hurdles the largest of them being where to do it.  The indoor/outdoor pool is the perfect answer as it is in close proximity to the spa and is heated but yet it is open to guests from the Lodge so it would be hard to control the environment. There is a possibility it could be closed for Watsu but it might cause some complaints and some might not follow the rules and I am really strict with myself that I don't start something that has the best of intentions but has a lot of bumps in the road and the end result is not the planned result so if you have any thoughts?

My reply:

Yes, the question of multi pool use is a common one for spas wanting to use existing facilities.  The biggest issue in this regard is that swimmers generally want cooler temperatures and an area to do lengths in.  But warmer pools designed more for leisure and soaking can work, especially if the ambiance is meditative (encouraging quiet) rather than social (people playing and talking). 

Also aquatic bodywork is often appealing and inspiring to watch. At the five-star hotel spa I managed in the UK this was a great asset regards promoting sessions.  It also helped to create a feeling of beauty and relaxation in the pool area (designed to be sanctuary-like).  So in your setting there may be quieter times when Watsu could happen.  The way in which sessions are conducted must be (and can be with awareness) adapted to this more public setting.

I would generally advise a practitioner working in a public leisure setting to focus on the pleasure and relaxation aspects of warm-water aquatic therapy. However, this work can sometimes trigger strong emotional reactions in those whose life-situations make them vulnerable to this (grief, abuse, profound sadness, etc.). Practitioners should remain aware of the limitations of the setting and do all they can to avoid leaving someone in an 'opened-up' state after such a session. 

More open settings can also be ideal for offering couples Watsu classes (learn simple techniques for floating a partner) and for Water Tai Chi (Ai Chi) (one-on-one or small group classes).  In some circumstances these could be free and used to encourage people to sign up for one-on-one watsu sessions. 

What might you have added? What have been your own experiences?

[Adam Ulacha]

I think every SPA manager will have some hurdles. Our role is to convince them that Watsu in their pools won't hurt anybody and won't negatively influence their SPA image - and then convince them that Watsu in their pools will have a POSITIVE impact to their business and image.

I give (free) Watsu sessions in a SPA for 1,5 year. This is a huge sport and SPA center with aquapark, SPA, gyms, squash, tennis, volleyball fields, bowling, hotel and restaurant. The aquapark consists of 3 pools - swimming pool, recreational pool and kids pool. I give sessions in the recreational pool. It is 1m depth and temperature about 33-34 celcius degrees:

When I first talked with the manager I had easier, because I knew that in this pool some swimming school had classes for kids and babies. And they just bordered some area of this pool by line. I told the manager I don't need so much space as them. So this is a perfect situation - I have relatively calm area and nobody goes there. But I have to admit that anybody can see the session and anything can happen (once I was hit in my head by a ball played by kids - I absolutely didn't expect this! ;) You know, you are totally concentrated in that no-time watsu world and... BANG! ;) But.. it was just funny :)

At first I was really disturbed by noise and by presence of all these people. I was used to give sessions in a quiet and empty private pool. And this was a huge challenge! But after some time I could enter the pool and just be with the client not hearing all that noise, which was there all the time. Amazing how we can accommodate to hard situations!

Another case of Watsu in public are people. I don't see them now when I give sessions (I'm totally concentrated on client) but at first I observed them. Unfortunately some of them may think that something abnormal is going on. I didn't have any unpleasant situation but Hungarian friends told me that they were accused of gay sex in public pool. Such situation may ruin your contract with SPA manager. Bordered area, floats, maybe some Watsu commercial stands near the pool may indicate that this is a serious aquatic bodywork, not sex or something.

The next case is the client. I mean their reactions. We should expect any reaction in the water. So far I hadn't any extreme reactions of clients, just tears, smiles, hugs. To be honest I don't know how people would react after client's scream for example. Not so easy situation in public pool.

In my opinion Watsu in public pool is a bigger challenge that in quiet, private pool. But everything is possible. I like it! And I know that Watsu in private pool would be sooooo easy for me right now. So maybe someday I will have one :-)

If anyone has questions about Watsu in public pool, let me know.

[Sulis (Sara Firman)]

Thanks for this story Adam - and for the diagram!

You reminded me that when I first came across Watsu it was through a friend who had lived at Harbin but moved back to Bath, UK. She wanted someone to practice on. So, we used to go to the local sports center where they had a warm remedial pool for elderly and disabled people. We managed to get permission to go in there to practice Watsu.

Before long people got curious and wanted to try it. They were not shy, especially the old folk! Actually, it got a bit out of hand because so many wanted sessions. The center began to wonder if we were charging for them - we were not. Eventually, we had to stop going because of concerns the center had about insurance. I was not trained at that time so could not pursue it. But I was inspired and eventually went to Harbin. The rest is history, as we say!

[Basia Szpak-Borst]

Couples Watsu would be an activity that the Spa could promote as well as Mother daughter days .

[Mary Essert]

I have known of persons who sponsored and taught caregivers and those being given care to share Watsu(R)
It provides a sense of sharing and giving back for the caregiver to receive....
Other thought: to provide another opportunity nearby for the caregiver, while the client receives is another idea. Respite is dear.
Also I have taught very very elementary movements to class members who can then share in couples at the close of a fitness or rehab period.
I have never had trouble with criticism re: using a public site.
Mary Essert